Betsy Devos and the Educational Choice Movement

As one of the most polarizing figures in American politics, Betsy Devos has led the way in educational reform since her appointment in 2016 by President Trump. The appointment came after many months of hoping that she would become the 11th US Education Secretary. The appointment has made Betsy Devos’ dreams come true, who has been working in education reform since her days at Calvin College. She is grateful that philanthropy has largely helped to support the educational choice movement.

Devos has been giving interviews across America in support of reform and educational choice, but it hasn’t always been the best audience. For the first year, she was treated with disdain by teachers and public school administrators who did not understand how the new programs would work with the public school curriculum. Devos states that she is doing this for students, because she wants them to have the best education possible.

She believes that educational choice is the answer. In an interview with Leslie Stahl for “60 Minutes,” she answered tough questions about the success of her current programs and what were her thoughts on standardized testing as well as Common Core Math. Devos stated that educational choice is about students, and it isn’t about public funding in the slightest. She also stated that her funding of the educational choice goes beyond the Devos Family Foundation. She has donors like Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Sam Walton.

She states that the most successful programs are in Florida, where they have educational choice options like magnet schools, private schools, charter schools, homeschooling, and virtual schools. The state also has a tuition-based scholarship that helps students who are accepted into private schools but can’t afford to go. This is where it gets a little tricky. However, Devos has said that no public funding is currently going to private schools.

In addition to educational choice, Betsy Devos also has to worry about school safety. She was appointed to the movement by President Trump earlier in 2018. The changes taking place in schools across the country are due to new regulations and security policies for all American schools.